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Tag: Wike

  • Wike: I won’t play politics with Ogoni land development

    Wike: I won’t play politics with Ogoni land development

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has said he will not play politics with the development of the Ogoni ethnic nationality.

    The governor said he was executing critical projects in the area to drive home his resolve.

    Wike said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would continue to win elections in the state because of his administration’s performance and the goodwill the party enjoyed among the residents.

    Speaking yesterday at Rivers Southeast Senatorial District’s PDP rally at Bori, Wike said the main opposition party in the state could not campaign because its leaders allegedly squandered the resources for eight years without executing what he called pro-people projects.

    He said: “The Ogoni know I am committed to their development. I have never lied to them. Whatever promise I make, I have taken steps to fulfil. This I have done, despite the financial downturn.

    “When they were receiving N20 billion monthly, they promised to execute projects in Ogoni land, but they failed the people. Today, we are receiving about N4 billion monthly and we are executing the key projects we promised the Ogoni.”

  • Amaechi, Wike ‘to ensure’ peaceful Rivers election

    The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi and Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday agreed to ensure a hitch free and peaceful rerun election in the state.

    The duo made the promise after meeting the Acting Inspector- General of Police, Ibrahim Idris and the Director-General of Department of State Services (DSS), Musa Daura, in Abuja.

    The Force Spokesperson, Don Awunah, stated these in a statement in Abuja.

    The meeting which was said to be held in an atmosphere of mutual respect and cordiality deliberated on the overall need to have peaceful, free and fair election devoid of violence which was the hallmark of previous elections in the state.

    The statement said, “In a concerted effort to guarantee a violent-free and credible rerun Senatorial and House of Representative elections in Rivers State, a crucial meeting to chart the path to peace in Rivers State before, during and after the rerun elections  was held today, 26th July, 2016 between the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim K. Idris and the Director-General of Department of State Services, Alh. Musa Daura.

    “The two major players in the politics of Rivers State,  Nyesom Wike, the Governor of Rivers State and the Hon. Minister of Transport, Rt. Hon Rotimi Amaechi were in attendance.

    “The Governor, Nyesom Wike and Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi resolved to be irrevocably committed to lasting peace and vouched to play the game by the rules in the forthcoming rerun elections in the state.

    “They also agreed to prevail on their teeming supporters to adhere to their commitment to peace and security in the state.”

     

     

  • I’ll ensure sanity in Rivers, says Wike

    I’ll ensure sanity in Rivers, says Wike

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has restated the commitment of his administration to ensure sanity in the state.

    The governor spoke at a dinner organised by Christ the Redeemer’s Friends International in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

    Wike said violence was prevalent across the state before his assumption of office on May 29, last year.

    He said such incidents were being tackled.

    The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Dr. Ipalibo Harry-Banigo, noted that his administration’s war against cultism and kidnapping was a deliberate effort to rid the state of crimes and criminality.

    He said: “We now have a government in Rivers State that will make the people rejoice, as the state will never be the same again.”

    Wike hailed the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, for the vision to reach out to eminent personalities in the society.

    The governor praised the church for its continuous prayers for the government.

    The guest preacher, Pastor David Ibiyeomie, who is also the general overseer of Salvation Ministries, said life without Jesus Christ would be full of crises.

    The cleric noted that for anyone to have salvation, he must be born again and profess Christ.

    On the programme’s theme: Let My People Rejoice, Ibiyeomie urged those in high positions to exemplify responsible leadership, thereby showing greater interest in the affairs of the citizens.

    He said only those who could make others rejoice would be relevant in the society.

    Wife of RCCG’s general overseer, Pastor Folu Adeboye, said the programme was aimed at winning more souls for Christ.

  • Wike assures Ogoni of continual execution of critical projects

    Wike assures Ogoni of continual execution of critical projects

    Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike has assured Ogoni people in the state that his administration will continue to execute critical infrastructural projects in the area, for the sustained empowerment of the people.

    While addressing the people, Governor Wike said that his administration would complete the Sakpwenwa-Bori-Kono Waterside road, rehabilitate of the Birabi Memorial Grammar School, Bori and develop infrastructure at the Kenule Beeson Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic, Bori, the traditional headquarters of Ogoniland and the seat of Khana LGA of the state.

    Wike spoke at a stakeholders’ meeting involving him and Ogoni people at the Kenule Beeson Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic, Bori.

    In attendance at the meeting were lecturers, students, Ogoni traditional rulers, youths and women.

    In a statement by his Special Assistant on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu, the governor stated that he had no plan to relocate the polytechnic, as alleged by some political opponents.

    He noted that his plan for the tertiary institution was to invest quality resources, through increased grants and the execution of projects that would lead to the accreditation of all the academic programmes in the institution.

     Wike stated that his administration had started the reconstruction of the security architecture in Ogoniland to ensure the protection of lives and property.

    “We have been able to make Port Harcourt and its environs safer for the residents. Now, we will improve on the security of Bori and other communities in Ogoniland.

    “We are supporting security agencies through the provision of necessary logistics to tackle crime. We will take the battle to the criminals in all their hideouts.”

  • Wike constitutes Rivers Basic Education board

    Wike constitutes Rivers Basic Education board

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has approved the constitution of the state’s Universal Basic Education Board.

    A statement yesterday in Port Harcourt, the state capital, by the governor’s Special Assistant on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu, said Ven. Fyneface Akah is the Chairman of the new board, while Dr. William Nzidee, Opuda Wiillie-Pepple and Kio Tams are members.

    The governor, the statement said, also approved the appointment of Mr. Chukwudi Dimkpa as the Acting Managing Director of state’s Signage and Advertising Agency.

     

  • Wike to create jobs for physically challenged persons

    Wike to create jobs for physically challenged persons

    Rivers  State  Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has declared that the  state government  will  create employment  opportunities  for physically challenged  persons who are educated and  ready to work.

    Speaking  when he granted  audience  to the leadership of  the South-South Physically Challenged Indigenes  (SSPCI) at the Government House, Port Harcourt  yesterday, Wike  said  he believed  that  the  physically  challenged  have the capacity  to  contribute  to  the  growth of the state.

    The governor  announced  the  automatic  employment  of the executive members of the SSPCI who have first and second degrees  into the Rivers State Civil Service.

    He announced  the  appointment of Mr Itekena Altraide as his Senior Special Assistant to  liaise  between the government and the physically  challenged.

    He said his administration  remains committed  to  tackling  the  challenges  facing the physically  challenged  in the state.

    According  to  him : “I am happy  that most of you are not going to beg on the streets. You are industrious and committed  to  the  development  of  the  state.

    “This government  will never abandon the physically  challenged.  We are arranged  social welfare programmes to always improve  their living condition  and ensure they contribute  their quota to the development  of  the  state “.

    The governor  donated two Toyota Camry  cars to the association,  adding that the association’s office would be  rehabilitated.

    The Executive Chairman of SSPCI,  Mr Itekena Altraide, commended Wike  for employing  the  physically  challenged  into the  state civil service.

    He said the meeting with the governor  is the first time  a state governor  will interact with  the association for over a decade. He said the investments of the Wike administration  in the welfare of the less privileged  will be rewarded  by faster development  in the state.

    The association presented  a certificate  of  recognition to Governor Wike for his excellent  performance  in the last one year.

  • APC to Wike: Diversionary tactics won’t save you from EFCC probe

    The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has stated that the Nyesom Wike’s administration and the state’s chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are levelling accusation of ghost school contracts on the Rotimi Amaechi’s government, as diversion from the looming investigation by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    It expressed shock about Wike and PDP’s resort to wild and baseless accusations, when the noose was tightening on the “inglorious” regime of Wike, a former Minister of State for Education.

    Rivers APC, yesterday in Port Harcourt, through its Publicity Secretary, Chris Finebone, noted that the recent reported invitation to certain companies and persons by the Rivers State Secondary Schools’ Board on funds allegedly collected for renovation of secondary schools in Rivers in Amaechi’s administration was nothing more than the old, tired refrain by Wike’s government and the PDP to divert attention.

    APC stated that the “humongous fraud” surrounding the unlawful withdrawal of N11 billion from the coffers of the Rivers government by the Rivers governor, through the Government House’s Director of Finance and Administration (DFA), Kingsley Fubara, between October 2015 and February 2016, was the reason for the frivolous accusation..

    Rivers PDP, through its Chairman, Chief Felix Obuah, however, claimed that the rate of ghost contracts and looting under Amaechi were shocking, while calling on the EFCC to go after the looters.

    PDP also described as wicked, the many cases of uncovered diversion of funds meant for the rehabilitation of dilapidated public schools in the state, while Amaechi was governor.

    Rivers APC said: “It is possible that Mr. Kingsley Fubara is a fake name used by the Rivers governor to open an account, in order to siphon Rivers money. We very well remember his antecedents, especially concerning his past infractions with the EFCC.”

  • Wike denies withdrawal of N11b

    The Rivers State Government yesterday denied an alleged withdrawal of N11bn from its account between October 2015 and February 2016.

    Reacting to a report that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was to investigate the withdrawal of over N11bn by the Wike’s administration, Commissioner for Information and Communication Dr. Austin Tam-George said there was nothing like that.

    The “suspicious withdrawals,” according to the report, were made in cash by the Director of Finance and Administration of the state’s Government House, Kingsely Fubara, from the Rivers State Government’s account with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

    But the commissioner said that Rivers State Government never conducted such transactions.

    According to him: “The Rivers State Government has no record of any staff known as KingselyFubara.

    “The report also indicated that the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to probe these so-called withdrawals.

    “Such a directive, if true, would be a manifestly illegal and ridiculous proposition,” he said.

    Tam-George also said that “by law, Rivers State Government was accountable to the Rivers State House of Assembly and the people of Rivers State not to the Attorney General of the Federation.”

    He further stated: “There is universal concern that the EFCC is playing an extremely corrosive role in the current political dispensation.”

  • Wike’s deputy seeks protection for women

    Wike’s deputy seeks protection for women

    Rivers State Deputy Governor Dr. Ipalibo Harry-Banigo has sought protection for women, as Nigeria joins the global community to commemorate the International Widows’ Day.

    She also advocated sustained efforts in the fight against harmful traditional practices against women, particularly widows.

    Mrs Harry-Banigo, in a statement yesterday by her Press Secretary, Paul Damgbor, said it was worrisome that 245 million women globally were widows. About 115 million are in poverty.

    She said the Nyesom Wike administration was determined to alleviate the suffering of widows and ensure that their rights and dignity were adequately protected.

     She told widows not to see widowhood as the end of their life by engaging in street begging, prostitution or other unwholesome practices.

    Mrs Harry-Banigo urged widows in Rivers to key into the various programmes of the state government, which she said, were designed to empower them economically.

  • Revealed: Wike’s soft side

    Revealed: Wike’s soft side

    He touched her chin. She held his hand. Softly. His dim eyes gazed into her eyes. She gazed at him too. They were sitting on red seats with a touch of royalty.

    Other guests, especially the movie stars who were the reason for the event, became spectators – momentarily. And they had an eyeful.

    It was all at this year’s African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, at the weekend.

    His Excellency Nyeson Ezebunwo Wike and his wife Justice Suzette were ready to shock all who may have thought the public display of affection would end at the mere holding of hands. Springing up from  their seats, Wike planted a French kiss on his wife. She responded sharply. Their eyes were closed as they savoured the sudden flight to dreamland.

    House Leader Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila and others close to the scene watched with rapt attention.  Gbajabiamila, his hand on his jaw, smiled as he watched the scene of affection – and passion.

    It was a short scene that ended before many could train their eyes on it. But it perhaps painted His Excellency – who is considered stiff and some could have vowed was incapable of such an open display of love –  in another light. Not a few will have trouble reconciling this Wike and the one once hailed as ‘Wicked Wike’ by a colleague in his days as a member of the Dr. Goodluck Jonathan administration.

    But believe it or not, this Wike is the same as the author of those “inciting” speeches (“Write your Will if you’re coming to Rivers” and others) before the rerun, the one who boasted of carrying the day at the Supreme Court, which eventually handed him the governorship trophy – to the consternation of his opponents and some legal giants.

    That, however, was then. Now Wike is settling down to govern and spare some time for love – that seductive feeling which can melt any heart and make the strongest of men appear vulnerable.